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Nicholas Sparks' Character List

  1. Katie

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Katherine

    • Meaning:

      "pure"

    • Description:

      Friendly mega-popular short form of Katherine that has definitively replaced Kathy, Katie is often given on its own. Going forward, though, Katie is more stylishly clipped itself to the grownup Kate.
  2. Alex

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Alexander, Alexis

    • Meaning:

      "defending men"

    • Description:

      The independent Alex has become a classic in its own right. One of the truest unisex names, Alex is used almost equally for both sexes. Alex is used both on its own and as a short form of formal names of both genders, such as Alexander, Alexandra, and Alexis.
  3. Landon

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "long hill"

    • Description:

      Landon is a popular surname name; it's been dropping slightly in recent years but has surpassed its once more popular rhyming cousin Brandon. For some it may bring back nostalgic memories of Little House on the Prairie 's understanding Pa, played by Michael Landon.
  4. Erin

    • Origin:

      Irish

    • Meaning:

      "from the island to the west"

    • Description:

      First-wave Irish name and place name—the poetic name for Ireland—now supplanted by newer alternatives such as Maeve and Delaney.
  5. Garrett

    • Origin:

      Irish variation of Gerard

    • Meaning:

      "spear strength"

    • Description:

      Garrett, also spelled with one 't', is an Irish-inflected name that was in the Top 100 in the nineties, but has now slipped in popularity.
  6. Amanda

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "she must be loved"

    • Description:

      Amanda may no longer be the most popular girls' name in her class, but it still holds appeal with its pleasing meaning and solid yet romantic sound. Its heyday however was back in the eighties when it skyrocketed alongside Samantha, Vanessa, Melissa, and co.
  7. Savannah

    • Origin:

      Spanish

    • Meaning:

      "flat tropical grassland"

    • Description:

      A place name with a deep Southern accent, the once-obscure Savannah shot to fame, with others of its genre, on the heels of the best seller Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which was set in the mossy Georgia city of Savannah. Originally a substitute for the overused Samantha, Savannah is now popular itself, long among the top girls' names starting with S.
  8. Travis

    • Origin:

      French occupational name

    • Meaning:

      "tollgate-keeper"

    • Description:

      Has a laid-back rural feel some would associate with country singer Travis Tritt; Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon chose it for their son. Travis Scott, born Jacques Webster Jr., a popular rap artist, is another famous Travis.
  9. Theresa

    • Origin:

      English form of the Spanish Teresa

    • Meaning:

      "to harvest"

    • Description:

      The popular appeal of the strong, intelligent Saint Teresa of Avila, combined with the selfless compassion of the more recent Mother Teresa, have fused to give this second-tier classic a somewhat noble, religious image. Although the origins of the name are uncertain, it has been prevalent particularly in forms Theresa, Teresa, and Therese throughout Europe for centuries.
  10. Will

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of William

    • Meaning:

      "resolute protector"

    • Description:

      Will has definitely replaced Bill, not only as a nickname for William but as a stand-alone name as well, partly thanks to England's Prince William, also known as Wills. Currently outside the Top 1000 in the US and the UK, it wouldn't feel totally out of style.
  11. Ben

    • Origin:

      Hebrew

    • Meaning:

      "son of"

    • Description:

      Ben, the diminutive of Benjamin or Benedict, can easily stand on its own as a simple, strong, nice-guy choice, though it's somewhat attenuated. Ben is this generation's Bob or Bill.
  12. Denise

    • Origin:

      French, feminine variation of Denis

    • Meaning:

      "god of Nysa"

    • Description:

      Denise was a French favorite of the fifties and sixties but is less chic now. In 2020 it broke back into the Top 1000 after a five-year hiatus, catapulted into style by reality TV star Denisse Novoa — but it dropped out again the following year.
  13. Jamie

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of James

    • Meaning:

      "supplanter"

    • Description:

      Jamie is typical of the relaxed unisex names starting with J that seemed so cool in the sixties after decades of Jeans and Joans, though now pretty tepid. Jaime and even Jamey and Jayme are alternate spellings.
  14. Adrienne

    • Origin:

      Latin, feminine variation of Adrian

    • Meaning:

      "man from Adria"

    • Description:

      A long-integrated French feminine form of Adrian, now overshadowed by the a-ending version, but still a valid option, with considerable substance and dignity—though these days more parents would probably choose Adriana.
  15. Wilson

    • Origin:

      English

    • Meaning:

      "son of Will"

    • Description:

      Wilson is a substantive presidential choice far less prevalent than Taylor or Tyler, and with the advantage of being a new route to friendly nickname Will. We see Wilson growing in popularity as an alternative to William; and as a patronymic, it would make a conceivable (if possibly confusing) choice for a son of William.
  16. Mike

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Michael

    • Description:

      Unlike Jake or Sam, few parents put Mike on the birth certificate.
  17. Josh

    • Description:

      Josh is a friendly, approachable masculine name that originated as a shortened form of Joshua, which comes from Hebrew meaning 'God is salvation.' While Joshua has biblical significance as the successor to Moses, Josh emerged as a standalone name in the 20th century, embodying a casual, down-to-earth quality. It gained significant popularity in the 1970s through the 1990s in the United States, ranking consistently in the top 100 names. Josh conveys an accessible, unpretentious character with its brief, one-syllable structure. The name suggests a straightforward, trustworthy personality and has maintained steady usage without seeming dated or trendy. Josh represents a perfect balance of familiarity and timelessness in contemporary naming practices.

  18. Kristen

    • Origin:

      Danish and Norwegian variation of Christine

    • Meaning:

      "a Christian"

    • Description:

      Kristen may be somewhat past its fashion high point, but it remains forever crystalline clear. Possible problem: confusion with the similar Scandinavian names Kristin, Kirsten, Kirstie, et al.
  19. Lexie

    • Description:

      Lexi and Lexie, pixie-ish offshoots of the prolific Alex family, have come into their own, remaining in the Top 1000 for more than 20 years now.
  20. Missy

    • Origin:

      English, diminutive of Melissa

    • Description:

      A name that works until your daughter is, say, six.